Tretops IsOneofthePremier GolfResortsinMichigan DisneyWorldCelebrates 50YearsofGolf Ohio’s MiaHammond Drive,Chip& PutChampion USGANearing Bifurcation APRIL2022
April Showers Mean Great Golf This Summer FRED ALTVATER The Road to Success is Always Under Construction........... April showers bring May flowers in Ohio, but it also makes golf courses play long and difficult. Chin up intrepid golfers, June will soon arrive and those soggy courses will become verdant green sanctuaries resplendent with colorful flowers to make your round even more enjoyable. This month we are happy to feature one of the Midwest’s premier golf resorts, Treetops. With four championship courses, a challenging putting course, as well as an intriguing par 3 course, they are one of the leading golf destinations in the country. Talking with resort owners and course managers over the past couple of months, bookings are ahead of previous years, and it may be difficult to find tee times, or lodging at the leading resorts. Word to the wise, book early. Congratulations to Mia Hammond from New Albany, who won the Girls 14-15 age group at the Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals at Augusta National. Calista Han from Lewis Center also qualified and competed in the Girls 7-9 age group. Ed Travis sees the USGA leaning to Bifurcation with their latest Distance Report. He wonders if that is going to be a positive for golf going forward. Len Ziehm writes about the Disney Courses in Orlando. We share some of our favorite places from our recent trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama, plus review two private residential golf communities in Florida. More women than ever are taking up the game and we have a quick golf tip just for the ladies. We hope you enjoy this issue of Ohio Golf Journal. I hope I see you on the Back 9 real soon. ~ Arnold Palmer Ohio Golf Journal
NOW, THIS IS GOLF Go to BoyneGolf.com or cal l 855-554-0289 BRING YOUR “A” GAME. With 10 magnificent courses, and non-stop flights to TVC from 17 popular destinations, why wait? Lock in your 2022 golf plans today.
Ohio Golf Journal is Published By Back 9 Media Group Publisher: Fred Altvater, USGTF Teaching Professional Advertise with Ohio Golf Journal, Contact us for more information Be sure to take advantage of the links to social media, videos and other content provided within the articles 33 FIND INSIDE 6 20 23 36 Treetops Is One of the Premier Resorts in Northern Michigan Opinion: Rules Split Likely and It Creates Questions LPGA Changes Qualification Rules For Hall of Fame Induction 06 10 18 You Really Need to Visit Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama Dreaming of Golf in Scotland? The World Wide Golf Amateur Championship Can Make It A Reality News & Notes Spring Golf Season Heating Up for Ohio Colleges Gleneagles & Harbour Ridge Offer The BEST Residential and Country Club Lifestyle in Florida Ohio Golf News Celebrating 50 Years: Disney World Golf Has An Interesting History Too 20 23 26 29 32 33 14 Our Contributors Golf Tip Just for the Ladies Our Favorite Videos 38 36 39 Ohio Golf Journal
Treetops Is One of the Premier Resorts in Northern Michigan Treetops Resort has a rich history that began in 1983 when Harry Melling, the owner of a successful automotive parts manufacturing business in Jackson, purchased the property, called Sylvan Knob. He loved northern Michigan and had a vision to turn the small ski hill, with modest beginnings, into a grand ski resort. Winter skiing in Northern Michigan can be a lucrative business for four months, but what about the rest of the year? He quickly realized that if he wanted to keep his dream alive, summer activities were needed for visitors to fill his empty hotel rooms and for his Melling Tool Company employees to enjoy all year long. Hiking, fishing, biking, and other outdoor activities were a natural. In addition, golf-crazy auto workers from Detroit and down state were looking for summer getaways. Northern Michigan’s sand hills, elevation changes, and temperate summer climate made it perfect for golf course construction. Ohio Golf Journal
If you build it they will come! Melling contracted one of the leading golf designers, Robert Trent Jones Sr. to build the first course at the resort, The Jones Masterpiece. When Jones stood on what was to be the sixth tee and looked out over the hills all he could see was a thick growth of trees. Thus, Sylvan Knob became Treetops. When the Jones Masterpiece opened in 1986, Golf Digest named it the second-best new course in the country. The course features deep ravines, pesky sand traps, tough pin placements, numerous water hazards, and dramatic elevation changes. The Jones Masterpiece is the most challenging course at the resort, but take time to look back up each fairway, as the course is almost as beautiful backwards as it is forward. A great golf course isn’t always enough to draw a knowledgeable golf clientele. Melling understood the need for an outgoing and competent golf professional and hired a little-
known, 23-year-old teaching professional, Rick Smith. Smith is now an annual fixture on Golf Digest’s Top-50 Golf Teachers List and has been the “swing guru” for Phil Mickelson, Lee Janzen, Rocco Mediate, David Duval, as well as, both Jack and Gary Nicklaus. Back then no one knew the brash young professional, but he helped Melling develop Treetops into one of the premier golf destinations in the Midwest. The second course to open at Treetops, the Fazio Premier, was designed by Tom Fazio and opened for play in 1992. It is a special treat for guests of the resort as it is the only Fazio design in the state. The Fazio Premier’s rolling fairways and single water hazard, along with steep slopes and doglegs, is more forgiving than the Masterpiece, but will still provide a challenge for the most seasoned player. After a trip to the Masters Tournament in 1990, Rick Smith pitched the idea of adding a par-3 course to Treetops. Melling gave the project his blessing and today Threetops is one of the mustplay courses at the resort. Small, slick greens, severe elevation changes and beautiful scenery make Threetops one of the best rounds of golf you will ever enjoy. For several years, top name professionals came to the par-3 course to compete in a two-day tournament aired on ESPN. In 2001, Lee Trevino made a hole-in-one at the 7th hole and won a skin worth over one million dollars. It was the first time a single shot earned over $1 million in golf history. During your visit to Treetops a trip around the Himalayas Putting Green is also a must. It was one of the first putting courses of its kind in the country. It is the perfect spot to enjoy a beverage, settle a few wagers, or just have a great time trying to get your little white ball in the hole. Few golfers can make the nine-hole circuit without a three-putt. Even four-putts are common over and around the huge mounds. Smith was also involved in adding two more courses to Treetops. The Signature opened for play in 1993 and was named the ‘Best Golf Course in Michigan’ as recently as 2018, by Golftime Magazine. With slopes, mounds and narrow fairways, the Signature course will keep every golfer on their toes. It’s the perfect blend between modern influence and classic designs from across the globe. In preparation to build the Signature, Smith traveled to Ireland and Scotland to study their historic courses. A trip around the Signature can be similar to playing in Europe. The Tradition, which opened to the public in 1997, was built for the golfer who appreciated Ohio Golf Journal
the value of walking a golf course. It was built on the principle of returning golf to a more relaxing attitude. The recent changes made in 2022, featured the removal of select trees which adds to the Scottish links feel. It is the most player-friendly course at the resort with less elevation change, wider fairways and a more natural landscape. The Tradition offers an open links feel. When hot summer days dry out the course it plays firm and fast, just like it was meant to be. With four championship golf courses, the par-3 Threetops, the Teaching Academy and a cozy spa, the resort is now a year-round destination offering skiing and snow activities for the winter, as well as, a complete golf experience during the summer. If you are feeling a little achy from a day on the slopes or the golf course and need some TLC. Treetops’ spa offers a wide range of Massage Therapies, Body Treatments, Skin Care, Facials, Manicures and Pedicures. All are designed to soothe, pamper, relax, and de-stress your body, mind and spirit. Spa clients may also feel free to enjoy the use the nautilus fitness room, hot tub, steam room and sauna during their visit. With the surrounding tree-covered hills and quaint lodges, Treetops also offers an excellent setting to plan a romantic wedding. The resort offers assistance and urges future brides to contact them to help them plan their special day. Treetops has never stopped growingandcontinues toprovide the best resort experience. In summary, in addition to the outstanding skiing and snowmobiling in the winter, Treetops offers, a relaxing spa experience, 81 holes of golf, a world-renowned par-3 course, instruction from experienced golf professionals, plus they provide the perfect setting for fairytale weddings, family reunions, or your next corporate meeting. Roundup your favorite foursome, or family members and book a getaway to a resort that is perfect for any season and offers something for everyone in your group. For more information and to book your stay visit: http://treetops.com/
Golf’s ruling bodies, the USGA and The R&A, are just steps away from dictating that elite players (top amateurs and professionals) must compete with equipment different from recreational golfers. On March 16 the USGA and The R&A sent out a press release covering recent results in the Distance Insight Report. A split, or bifurcation in the Rules of Golf, as they apply to equipment to curb the distance the ball travels, is under Opinion Rules Split Likely and It Creates Questions By Ed Travis active consideration. Elites will play with drivers constructed to restrict distance, while regular golfers will be allowed drivers that can go farther. The latest part of the process has been restricting the allowable length of clubs to 46 inches. The ruling bodies have also put manufacturers on notice of changes to the testing criteria for balls and clubs. Specifically, they are going to investigate the effects of moving the clubhead speed up 5 mph to 125 mph along with new standards for Ohio Golf Journal
the ball launch angle and spin rate. The aim is to test with conditions more closely modeling those elite players are achieving, and the test results could then be applied to the standard for ball initial velocity. The ruling bodies’ premise is, since some players are hitting tee shots farther, older courses are being made obsolete, necessitating additional land and other resources to retain the integrity of the game. Both the facts and their interpretation have been challenged and though dissenters may have been heard, the USGA and The R&A do not seem to be listening. The rules split may benefit recreational players due to the removal of the allowable limit on the amount of rebound, or MOI to a club face. Dropping the present MOI restrictions gives average players the potential to generate more distance without swinging faster. This is being seen as a good thing, although the gain will be minimal. No one will complain of a few extra yards of driving distance. It seems safe to assume the decision has been made to split the Rules of Golf. Although the word bifurcation is unpleasant, it appears the game will be divided into an us-and-them scenario. If that is the case, several important questions remain to be answered. Will weekend warriors be forced to play with restricted lower-performance clubs? No one wants to hit it shorter. How will the level of skill, or elite-ness be measured? How will the classes of players, elite and nonelite, be determined? Will there be the handicap divisions? Will average driving distance determine what clubs a player can use? Type of competition? Will this apply to tour professionals only? What about collegiate, high school, or top junior players? The USGA and The R&A have made several controversial rulings over the past decade, but it appears they will be wading into a minefield of regulation red tape that will discourage golfers, rather than make the game more appealing. Will the restricted equipment rules apply only to males? Women have been hitting the ball farther too, but the USGA and The R&A’s focus seems only to be on men. Women usually play from tees more forward, so female long drivers may be causing a problem, as well. Segregating the Rules of Golf by sex would be a first. That has the ring of a sexual lawsuit to it. Club manufacturers will need to reassess club marketing. Drivers will no longer be “just like the ones played on Tour.” An undeniable charm for golfers is comparing our meager efforts with the stars. If the rollback in distance is 10%, Rory’s 330-yard blast will be reduced to 297-yards, but
done with a club that fans can’t buy, so how can it be promoted? Will Callaway, Acushnet, TaylorMade, Cobra, Ping, and other club manufacturers, who spend millions on player endorsements, allow their business plan to be made obsolete? It will certainly bring into question paying millions of dollars for endorsements, if they can’t sell the new clubs. How does restricting driver performance affect club technology innovation? The quest for improved designs, materials and engineering is both expensive and time consuming. Without a profitable way to connect the “restrictedtech” clubs, used by professionals, with the new “latest and greatest,” allowed for recreational golfers, a whole new marketing strategy must be implemented. What will be done with the golf ball for elites? “Rolling back” the ball may have been a consideration, but discarded to concentrate on drivers. Changes to golf ball performance will be another minefield not easily negotiated. The USGA and The R&A have said little regarding improved player fitness and athleticism, not to mention extensive use of computerized swing analysis and training. Performance gains in this area are almost sure to continue. What happens if elites’ driving distance continues to increase even with restricted equipment? Driving distance is also influenced by course conditions such as firmness of the fairways, which has also not been addressed. Today’s manicured fairways roll like the greens did 20 years ago. Elite golfers train to take advantage of this with drivers dialed-in for the best launch angle and spin rate for the maximum carry distance and roll. Many of the courses, played by the PGA TOUR have generous fairways with little rough reducing any premium on accuracy and giving distance a disproportionate role. How will the professional tours react with this curbing of players performance? The PGA Tour is in the entertainment business and may not want to hurt their product by reducing the thrill and fan interest in long hitting by complying with the USGA and The R&A. We might see certain drivers allowed in regular Tour events but not allowed in the U.S. Open, or THE Open Championship. Wouldn’t that be a mess! The USGA, and The R&A have seemingly set their minds on the idea that the ball goes too far. Trying to avoid a repeat of the square-groove debacle, they have taken a more calculated approach, asking for golfer’s feedback, to give the impression the subject was open to debate. This raises the larger question of the USGA and The R&A relevance to recreational players and our opinion of splitting the Rules of Golf segregated by classes of players, or sex. The USGA and R&A are again venturing into the great unknown and it’s a void labeled, “Does Anybody Care?” Their desire to turnback the clock reflects a prejudice against future progress and innovation. While these changes can be bullied through, we wonder if the cost may be too high for the overall good of the game? Ohio Golf Journal
OhioGolf News Dayton’s NCR Country Club to Host U.S. Senior Women’s Open Annika Sorenstam will be on hand to defend her U.S. Senior Women’s Open title, August 25-28, when the USGA holds the 4th edition of this popular event at NCR Country Club. England’s Laura Davies won the inaugural U.S. SeniorWomen’s Open, in 2018 at the Chicago Golf Club. Helen Alfredsson hoisted the trophy, in 2019, at Pine Needles Golf Club. The event was cancelled in 2020 and Sorenstam won, in her first year of eligibility, at Brooklawn Country Club last year. For more information visit: https://bit.ly/3x7uG9J Kent State Alum Corey Connors Grabs Third at WGC Match Play Corey Connors is from Canada, but played collegiately at Kent State. He defeated Dustin Johnson to grab thirdplace at the DELL WGC Match Play in Austin, Texas. Connors turned professional in 2015 and is having a solid year thus far. He finished 11th at both the Sony Open and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Connors has one win on the PGA TOUR at the 2019 Valero Texas Open. Ohio Golf Journal
Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals The National Finals of Drive, Chip & Putt (DCP) were held April 3rd, at Augusta National Golf Club. Calista Han from Lewis Center qualified in the Girls 7-9 age group and New Albany’s Mia Hammond earned a spot in the Girls 14-15 division. Both made it to the Finals via the Regional Qualifier held at the Oakland Hills Country Club. Only 80 golfers qualify for the DCP National Finals. With a total of 22 points Hammond won the Girls 14-15 age group. Her drive sailed over 235 yards and her cumulative chipping distance for the two attempts was 11’ 11”. With the pressure on, she canned both putts to become the National Champion. Conducted in partnership with the USGA, the Masters Tournament and PGA of America, Drive, Chip and Putt is a free youth golf development program that welcomes boys and girls, ages 7-15, to play the game and master the three most important skills for success – accuracy in driving, chipping and putting. Registration for the 2022-23 season is now underway. To enroll you little golfer visit: https:// www.drivechipandputt.com/ OSU’s Aneka Seumanutafa Competes at Augusta National Women’s Amateur OSU’s Aneka Seumanutafa was in the field for the third annual Augusta National Women’s Amateur. After the first round at Champions Retreat Seumanutafa was tied for ninth with a solid one-over par 73. Only four shots back of the leader, Benedetta Moresco, from Italy. A second round 81 moved her outside the top 30, thus she failed to make the cut to play in the final round at Augusta National on Saturday. The Augusta National Women’s Amateur features 72 of the best amateur golfers from around the world. The first two rounds of the 54 hole event are played at Champions Retreat. All 72 competitors are invited to play a practice round at Augusta National on Friday. The field is cut to the top 30, after 36 holes and the final round is played on Augusta National Golf Club, home of the Masters Tournament.
Renee Powell Honored with Charlie Sifford Award Renee Powell was honored at the World Golf Hall of Fame ceremonies prior to The PLAYERS Championship in March with the inaugural Charlie Sifford Award. Renee has received numerous awards over the years, but this one was especially important to her. Charles Sifford was a long-time family friend of both Renee and her father. Sifford experienced every roadblock, insult and hardship imaginable as he became the first African-American to earn a PGA Tour card in 1961. “It’s somebody that I knew personally and to receive (this award) means a lot because of knowing both the public Charlie and private Charlie. A personal family friend, it’s very touching.” The inaugural Charlie Sifford Award is presented by Southern Companies to honor recipients for their spirit in advancing diversity in golf. The Chaplain Partnership Golf Outing Chaplain Partnership will conduct a Corporate Partner Golf Outing, September 26th, to benefit the organization so that they can continue to provide spiritual care to patients and families. Throughout the past two years, during the COVID-19 pandemic, these chaplains have been in the rooms of suffering patients and families struggling to cope with the extreme grief. Your participation in this golf event will help provide continued spiritual support to the families of those suffering from illness, loss, and life changing events. It will be held at historic Lakewood Country Club in Westlake. To register and find out more visit: https://chaplainpartnership.org/golf-benefit/ Ohio Golf Journal
Enter Ohio Amateur Golf Tournaments If you want to test your game and compete with other amateur golfers across the state, Miami Valley Golf Association, Ohio Golf Association and Northern Ohio Golf Association have a full slate of tournaments. Visit one of these websites to enter events near you: Dayton Area: https://www.miamivalleygolf.org/ events-7543.html Central Ohio: https://www.ohiogolf.org/events/oga Northern Ohio: https://www.noga.org/
New changes made to the requirements needed to gain entry into the LPGA Hall of Fame will allow Lorena Ochoa, plus all of the original 13 founders of the LPGA to be inducted next year. Ochoa, who retired from competitive golf in 2010, won 27 LPGA titles, including two major championships in her eight-year career. Previously a player was required to compete for a minimum of ten years on the LPGA Tour to be considered for entry into the Hall of Fame. Beth Daniel addressed the reason for the change, “The Hall of Fame Committee wanted to understand why the 10-year rule was originally instituted, so we talked to the other Hall of Famers about the reasoning. I spoke to Carol Mann right before she passed away. Carol was LPGA Changes Qualification Rules For Hall of Fame Induction By Fred Altvater president of the LPGA when the rule was set up and said it was because they needed players at that time to keep playing to keep the spotlight on the Tour. I think we have seen that the Tour is strong enough now that we don’t need that requirement.” The rule change also grants Hall of Fame membership to the eight founders that weren’t Ohio Golf Journal
already enshrined. One of those, Shirley Spork was born and raised in Detroit. We were fortunate to talk with Ms. Spork during the Solheim Cup last fall. Watch the full interview: Shirley was more interested in playing golf, but her parents demanded she complete her education. After graduation from Eastern Michigan University, she taught physical education at Bowling Green State University. Together with University of The remaining founders that gained entry into the Hall of Fame are, Alice Bauer, Bettye Danoff, Helen Dettweiler, Helen Hicks, Opal Hill, Sally Sessions and Marilynn Smith. These changes were long overdue, and we congratulate all the worthy candidates that will now be enshrined with the greats of the game. Findlay’s golf coach, Peggy Kirk Bell, they held the first women’s golf matches between the two schools. Shirley was one of the best women golfers in the country and Babe Zaharias personally invited Shirley to join the rag tag women’s golf tour. Teaching was always a strength for Shirley, and she was instrumental in starting the LPGA Professional Teachers division. She was twice named the LPGA National Teacher of the Year, first in 1959 and again in 1984, plus she served as the LPGA Professionals chairperson for eight years. Spork was known for crowd-pleasing clinics and trick shots wherever the Tour traveled.
Celebrating 50 Years: Disney World Golf Has An Interesting History Too Disney World first opened the gates to the “Magic Kingdom,” October 1, 1971. Family vacations were forever changed. Never, in the history of man, has one mouse created an economic boom that continues to this day in Central Florida. The popular tourist destination has welcomed visitors of all age groups, backgrounds and countries for 50 years. That list also includes golfers, because The Magic Kingdom’s opening day was also the day that its first two golf courses, the Magnolia and the Palm, also opened. Joe Lee designed both, as well as, Oak Trail, a nine-hole track that uses the same pro shop as the two original layouts. Nearby Lake Buena Vista, a third championship course, opened 10 years later. In themidst of the year-long “World’sMostMagical Celebration,’’ the golf division is proclaiming itself “The Happiest Place on Turf.’’ Alex Forsyth, the director of sales and marketing for Walt Disney World Golf, said the 50-year By Len Ziehm Ohio Golf Journal
celebrations will carry all the way through 2022 and even into the start of 2023. He also told us, “A major announcement about future development will be made.” Forsyth wouldn’t go into details, but did admit that, “there are no plans at present to get back on the PGA Tour schedule.’’ The Disney courses hosted PGA TOUR events for 42 consecutive years, from 1971 to 2012. Most were near the end of the season and always drew the top names, as well as, big crowds. When the FedEx Cup Playoffs were incorporated into the PGA TOUR schedule, it created a big climax to each season. The Disney tournament was moved to the fall wrap-around schedule and became an early event in the following year’s season. Forsyth explained, “In thefirst events of anewwrap-around schedule, there were no big names. Without them, there weren’t big crowds and we relinquished our spot on the PGA Tour calendar.’’ Although the glory days of PGA TOUR tournaments held on the Disney Courses are fondly remembered, the resort’s attention shifted to recreational players and Disney World visitors, which proved to be a good thing for all concerned. Golf very much remains a part of the Disney experience, as does its golf history. Arnold Palmer played a huge role in the development of Disney World Golf. Palmer and Disney World arrived in the Orlando area at roughly the same time. In 1971, Arnie was making plans to purchase the Bay Hill Club, although he didn’t fully complete the purchase until 1975. During the interim he met with Sandy Quinn , Disney Resort’s Director of Marketing. Quinn had been assigned the task of bringing a PGA Tour event to the Magnolia and the Palm Courses. Palmer was willing to help get the new tournament off the ground and the Walt Disney World (WDW) Golf Classic was held for the first time in December of 1971.
Jack Nicklaus won the tournament the first three years. The format was switched to a team event for five years, 1974-1978, but reverted back to its original stroke-play format until the final event held in 2012. Tiger Woods won the WDW Classic in 1996 and again in 1999. Other champions included; Larry Nelson, Payne Stewart, Davis Love III, Vijay Singh, David Duval, Lanny Wadkins, Ben Crenshaw and Luke Donald. The Magnolia Course is the longest of the Disney courses at 7,516 yards from the tips. With 97 bunkers and water in play on 11 of the 18 holes, it received the most attention. Back in those early days, the television coverage was normally only available on the weekends, the pros competed on both the Magnolia and the Palm courses on Thursday and Friday, but after the cut on the weekends, only the Magnolia was used. The Lake BuenaVista course was also used for the WDW Classic on 17 occasions. The tournament’s rich history is chronicled at the Champions Pavilion beside the first tee of the Magnolia, which was also used for the Senior PGA Championship. Several more familiar names won that event, as well. Charlie Sifford, Pete Cooper, Julius Boros, Joe Jimenez and Jack Fleck won the Champions Tour event on the Magnolia course. The Lake Buena Vista course was the site for the LPGA’s HealthSouth Classic in 1996 and 1997. It was the first LPGA event to be broadcast live on The Golf Channel, with Karrie Webb and Michelle McGann grabbing the trophies. Palmer’s connection to the Disney Resort continued as his design company renovated the Palm Course, in 2013, which earned “Renovation of the Year” honors. Today Arnold Palmer Golf Management operates the Disney courses under a 20-year agreement signed in 2011. The Disney courses allow families to take a respite from the Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom. They can enjoy championship golf on the same courses where the pros have won and never leave the Walt Disney World Resort. Ohio Golf Journal
You Really Need to Visit Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, Alabama If you haven’t been to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach lately, you are missing one of the premier vacation destinations in the country. You’ll discover beautiful white sandy beaches, a fantastic collection of affordable golf and the best dining experiences you will ever sink your teeth into. We have made several trips to the Gulf Coast area of Alabama and every time we find something new and exciting about the area. Just driving along the beach is uplifting and one can feel the tension easing out of your body. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are home to 32 miles of white sandy beaches that line the pristine turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. With several premier golf courses added to the mix of other activities, including fishing, boating, kayaking and biking, and you’ll find there’s more to this small beach town than meets the eye. Golf Gulf Shores Country Club was the first golf course in the area and in some ways, it is still the best. This is a golfer friendly course, but with wonderful green surrounds and putting challenges. If you are visiting from the north and escaping cold weather, Gulf Shores Country Club should be the first course on your golf itinerary. It is forgiving off the tee and always a joy to play. Craft Farms has the only two 18-hole Arnold Palmer designed courses in the state of Alabama. When Arnold agreed to build the first course here, he was the catalyst to brining thousands of golfers to Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Learn more about the Craft Family’s important role in bringing golf and tourism to Gulf Shores in the November 2016 issue of Ohio Golf Journal. By Fred Altvater
(Mou - insert pic #4 of Robert Craft and Arnold Palmer) Both Cotton Creek and Cypress Bend at Craft Farms are challenging to golfers of every level. While searching for birdies, they provide a peaceful, serene example of the natural Southern Alabama landscape. Massive live oaks dripping with Spanish Moss, plus numerous lakes, creeks and native wildlife give the courses a distinctive coastal feel. Kiva Dunes Resort sits near the western-most point of the Fort Morgan peninsula at the entrance to Mobile Bay. An extensive renovation helped keep Kiva Dunes one of the highest rated public golf courses in the state. Water is in play on several holes, but a variety of tee box choices assures everyone can experience an enjoyable round of golf. Kiva Dunes offers more than just great golf. With vacation rentals ranging from coastal homes to fully appointed condos travelers can find something to suit their needs. The Kiva Dunes Beach Club is nestled among the natural sand dunes with full restaurant service and food and drink delivery service. Ohio Golf Journal
Kiva Dunes makes the perfect Beach and Golf experience on the Gulf Coast. Peninsula Golf and Racquet Club provides the perfect blend of southern hospitality and championship golf. Golf Digest rated it 4 ½ stars, plus selected it as one of the “most memorable and enjoyable” courses in the southeast. The Peninsula Golf Course was designed by Earl Stone and plays 7,026 from the tips. The 27-hole configuration delivers a playable and enjoyable layout for golfers of all skill levels. In addition to championship golf, Peninsula is a full-service club complete with an array of social activities and events designed for the entire family. The recently remodeled clubhouse features a restaurant and bar offering meals ranging from fine cuisine to the simplest of fare. The club also includes an 8,000 square foot fitness center, eight tennis courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, as well as other amenities. Dining & Entertainment After a full day of fun in the sun at Coastal Alabama there is a variety of entertainment options, plus memorable dining establishments that offer fresh seafood, or tasty Alabama BBQ to satisfy every appetite. One of our favorite stops is The YARD Milk Shake Bar. It was featured on Shark Tank and their over-the-top ice cream creations will leave you dreaming of a return visit. The legendary Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar is nearby in Orange Beach and always offers live entertainment. Every type of accommodation is available in Gulf Shores, or Orange Beach. To plan your next visit to Alabama’s Gulf Coast visit: https://www. gulfshores.com/.
Dreaming of Golf in Scotland? The World Wide Golf Amateur Championship Can Make It A Reality VS “Winners will be treated to a first-class golf experience both at the National Championship and in Scotland. This will be a dream golf trip that will be remembered for a lifetime.” The four winners at the Team USA National Championship Tournament will fly to Scotland, all expenses paid, to compete on the newest true links golf course, Dumbarnie Golf Links, just outside of St. Andrews. There are only 246 authentic links courses in the world and one of these is Dumbarnie Golf Links that sets hard by the Firth of Forth covering one and a half miles of Scottish coastline. The 2021 Women’s Scottish Open, won by Ryan O’Toole was held at Dumbarnie. The publisher of Links magazine, George Peper said about Dumbarnie, “I have no doubt that Dumbarnie will soon come to stand along with Kingsbarns as the two courses (after the Old) that every serious St. Andrews pilgrim will want to play.” This is an opportunity to test your game against other amateur golfers and take a shot at winning a bucket-list golf trip to Scotland. Get your passport ready and check for a local qualifier near you: https://www.teamusawwagc. com/schedule.html What is the item at the top of every golfer’s bucket list? Perhaps it’s playing a round of golf at St. Andrews in Scotland and taking a picture crossing over the famous Swilcan Bridge. The World Wide Amateur Golf Championship can turn that dream into a reality if you qualify to represent Team USA against Team Scotland at Dumbarnie Golf Links. Players must first qualify for the Team USA National Championship at a local qualifier. The Team USA National Championship will be held in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, August 28-29. The format is 18-hole net stroke-play with one winner each from the four handicap divisions. The Team USA National Championship will consist of 36 holes net stroke play with the first round being held at GlenGarry Golf Club and the second round will be contested at Arnold Palmer’s home course, Latrobe Country Club. Randy Tantlinger organizer for the World Wide Golf Championship told us, Ohio Golf Journal
News & Notes Cabot Citrus Farms Hires Designers Kyle Franz coming off an outstanding renovation at Southern Pines Country Club, will oversee the work on the new Citrus Farms’ Pine Barrens Course. Keith Rebb and Riley Johns, who renovated the Winter Park 9, in Orlando and designed the new Bootleggers Par 3, at Forest Dunes, have been contracted to renovate the Rolling Oaks Course. Mike Nuzzo will handle the design and construction of the short course and practice facilities at Citrus Farms. Formerly World Woods near Tampa, Florida, the newly named Cabot Citrus Farms is expected to reopen in 2023, with a new clubhouse and hotel. ASGCA Promotes Junior Golf Design If your junior golfer has an artistic side, or you would like to introduce your child to golf course design, the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) is encouraging junior golfers to use their imagination to create a golf hole. This is not a contest, but an opportunity for young people to showcase self-expression in the art of golf design. The submission may be any par, and use any feature, strategy, or hazard imaginable. Submissions may be created in any medium (pencil, markers, crayon or digital). The only requirement is that it fits within the provided borders at the website.
Rachel Rohanna Helps Promote EPSON Tour With Help From Shaquille O’Neal Former Ohio State Golfer and LPGA Tour member Rachel Rohanna will be joined by NBA star Shaquille O’Neal in a series of online commercials promoting the EPSONTour (formerly the Symetra Tour). After giving birth to her daughter, Rachel lost her LPGA Tour card and had to go back to the EPSON Tour to requalify. She finished the year inside the top 10 money list which earned her a return to the 2022 LPGA Tour. O’Neal the former NBA superstar and television regular has 24 million followers on Instagram, 15.6 million on twitter and 9.2 million on Facebook as well as his own reality show called “Shaq Life.” Since announcing the entrance of EPSON as the main sponsor of the LPGA’s developmental tour, total purses have increased substantially and the cost of entry to events has been cut in half. Rohanna said, “It always blows my mind that people have never heard of the EPSON Tour. To have someone like Shaq with as many followers as he has and to actually be enthusiastic about it, I think it’s great for everyone. It’s going to be huge.” National Golf Foundation Reports Women Golfers Reach All Time High The National Golf Foundation (NGF) is reporting that the number of women golfers in this country has increased to almost 6.2 million. Over 600,000 women have taken up the game in the last two years An NGF spokesman said “participation from women and girls has seen a notable increase in the past few years.” “There hasn’t been this much optimism and new activity in the golf business since the turn of the century,” said Joe Beditz, NGF president and CEO. Numbers show that there were just over 25 million golfers in the United States in 2021, an increase from 24.8 million the prior year. Ohio Golf Journal
Women’s Golf Day Set for June 7th Women’s Golf Day (WGD) unites golfers around the globe. It is celebrating its 7th year in 2022 and will be held June 7th. “More and more women are beginning to participate in golf, and Women’s Golf Day provides a great opportunity for them to either learn how to play or further enjoy this game for which they have developed a love,” said founder Elisa Gaudet. Check your local courses for Women’s Golf Day activities and invite a lady friend to join you on the course.
Spring Golf Season Heating Up for Ohio Colleges Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Vanderbilt, Arizona and Washington are currently ranked as the top five teams in NCAA Division I Golf. Purdue and Illinois are the only two BIG Ten teams ranked in the Top 25 nationally. The Ohio State Women’s Team end their regular season with the Lady Buckeye, April 15-16. The BIG Ten Championships will be held at Fox Chapel Country Club in Pittsburgh, April 22-24. The women’s NCAA Regionals will be held May 9-11 with the NCAA Women’s Championship is scheduled for May 20-25 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Top 5 women’s golf teams in NCAA Division I are, Stanford, Oregon, South Carolina, Wake Forest and San Jose State. Kent State Men’s Golf Team is once again the team to beat in the MAC. They will wrap up their season with the Keplar Invitational at Ohio State and begin the MAC Championship April 29-May 1 at White Eagle Golf Club in Napierville, Illinois, hosted by Northern Illinois University. The Lady Flashes have never lost a MAC Championship and will once again be favored to retain the MAC title April 22-24, when the teams meet at Stone Oak Country Club in Toledo. Kent State Women’s Golf Team has won 21 consecutive titles and 20 consecutive NCAA Regionals. Throughout the month of April college golf teams are preparing for conference championships and hopefully bids into the NCAA Regionals. Ohio State ends their regular spring season with the Robert Keplar Invitational April 23-24, before heading off to the BIG Ten Championship at French Lick April 29-May 1. The NCAA Division I Championship will be held May 27-June 1 at Grayhawk in Scottsdale, Arizona. This year the Ohio State University Golf Course Scarlet Course will host the NCAA Columbus Regional, May 16-18. Ohio Golf Journal
This winter while traveling in Florida we had the opportunity to visit two wonderful private golf communities. If you are thinking about country club living in Southeastern Florida, Gleneagles Country Club, in Delray Beach and Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club, in Stuart, both offer an upscale residential experience with outstanding golf courses, along other amenities. Gleneagles Country Club Gleneagles in Delray Beach, Florida opened in 1984 and was designed to offer residents an exclusive resort experience, but with a “hometown feel.” They succeeded. Legends of golf, Gay Brewer, Billy Casper, Doug Ford, Bob Goalby, Doug Sanders and Sam Snead all called Gleneagles home. Gleneagles boasts two 18-hole championship courses, The Legends and The Victory. The Legends Course opened for play in 2011 and thispar72canbestretchedto7,047yards.Choosing the correct tee is recommended, the course is joy for high handicappers, but will also provide a stiff challenge for single digit players from the back tees. Gleneagles & Harbour Ridge Offer The BEST Residential and Country Club Lifestyle in Florida
The Victory Course was originally designed by Karl Litten in 1985 and renovated by Jeff Myers in 2007. It is a par 71 measuring 6,006 yards from the tips. With 47 bunkers and narrow doglegs, the Victory Course places a premium on accuracy over distance. The Victory Course is a perfect complement to the Legends Course and completes the golf lifestyle at Gleneagles. Outdoor lovers will appreciate the abundance of wildlife. There are over 50 varieties of trees scattered around the property and the rich landscaping adds to the enjoyment of a day on the golf course. We found both courses to be perfectly manicured and the beautiful flower arrangements around the courses made it aesthetically pleasing. In fact, the grounds, buildings and championship courses, the River Ridge and Golden Marsh, for members and their guests. The River Ridge Course was designed by the father/son team of Pete and P.B. Dye and has hosted numerous qualifiers for USGA championships. From the back tees River Ridge boasts a 138 slope and 72.4 rating. It offers a true test for even the best players. Five sets of tees can accommodate all handicap levels. Our advice is to forego your ego and move up a tee. With several carries over marshes and water, it will make your round much more enjoyable. The Golden Marsh Course, originally designed by Joe Lee, was redesigned by Florida’s master golf designer, Bobby Weed in 2018. Swaying palms, and sweeping vistas add to the course’s natural beauty. It offers massive Gleneagles clubhouse were all top shelf. As expected, the staff was very helpful and attentive to every need. Gleneagles also boasts an active tennis center with 20 Har-Tru courts, including a stadium court for tournament action. Ivan Lendl and Steffi Graf lived and trained here in preparation for the grueling professional tennis circuit. Of course, the popular Pickleball and other social activities are available to residents. Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club sits approximately ninety minutes north of Miami. It is far enough south to offer warm breezes and sunny skies, when it is cold in the Midwest. The gated community features two distinctive 18-hole Ohio Golf Journal
JUST ASK OUR COURSE RECORD HOLDERS: PHIL MICKELSON, FRED COUPLES, LEE JANZEN & AN UNKNOWN AMATEUR. (We’re not kidding!) Can’t Top That. WWW.TREETOPS.COM | 81 SPECTACULAR HOLES BY GOLF’S GREAT DESIGNERS. EASY. GOLF IS a slightly more subtle challenge than the River Ridge course, but still manages to provide a true test for golfers at all handicap levels. The natural lakes and marshes that surround so many of the holes on this course add to the overall enjoyment of your round. Man does not live by golf alone and as their name implies, boating, fishing and water sports are a major activity at Harbour Ridge. The community is situated on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River and includes two miles of pristine riverfront with easy access to the Atlantic Ocean. Harbour Ridge features 98 various sizes of slips in its three private marinas. The estuary shoreline is also a haven for anglers, as the river is teeming with redfish, snook, tarpon and trout. Of course, deep sea sportsmen cherish the open ocean and the waters off Stuart are revered as the “Sailfish Capital of the World.” Nearby Stuart and Port St. Lucie both offer entertainment, dining and a variety of sport activities. The New York Mets make Port St. Lucie their winter home and downtown Stuart provides a variety of quaint shopping and dining opportunities. Thinking of Moving to Florida? Every year thousands of northerners make the trek south to find warm weather and great golf. If you are thinking about a second home, or relocating to Florida, either of these two fine residential and golf communities would make the perfect place to call home.
Golf Tip Just for the Ladies Statistics prove that more women are beginning to play the game than ever before. They decide to take up golf for a variety of reasons. They want to be able to play golf with their husbands, or friends. Maybe they are nearing retirement and are looking for an outdoor activity. They may want their children to learn the game and want to be able to join them on the golf course, as well. Over the years I have had the pleasure of teaching many women to swing a golf club and I have two important tips I would like to share with any woman trying to decide to give it a try. 1. Don’t take yourself too seriously Everyone that swings a golf club was a beginner at some point. Women, as a general rule, are very conscious of their surroundings and who may be watching By Fred Altvater Ohio Golf Journal
them. The basics of golf can be taught to anyone, it just takes a little time with a qualified instructor. If you are worried about what another golfer two fairways over, or down the range, is thinking about your golf swing, you won’t be able to improve, or enjoy the game. The absolute truth is that the other guy, or girl is just as worried about what you are thinking about their ability, or lack thereof, to be concerned about what you are doing. Just concentrate on your swing and don’t worry about the other guy. 2. Don’t quit when the going gets tough Golf is not an easy game to learn. Even women, who were athletes in high school, experience difficulty learning the correct swing andmastering the ability toconsistently get the ball airborne. Grip, Stance, Ball Position, Posture and Alignment are the five basic keys to achieving a successful golf swing. I have found over the years, that if a student can focus and master these five simple basics, the game gets much easier. Every golfer alive has topped, sliced, chopped and whiffed shots. I have played the game for well over 50 years and my wife will confirm that I still occasionally top a shot or chunk a chip shot. It Happens. Get over it. The point is, don’t quit at the first sign of adversity. Golf, like life, is about the next shot. You have to forget about the last shot and focus entirely on the next one. Golf is the greatest game ever created by man. It is played outdoors on a beautifully manicured landscape. It provides excellent physical exercise, as well as a fun social experience, when you relax and enjoy it. Playing a round of golf with friends and having lunch at the 19th hole, makes for a perfect day. Don’t be afraid to GET OUT THERE and PLAY GOLF!
Our Contributors This Month Ed Travis Mike May Bryan Renius Ed Travis is a national award winning golf journalist and has had a lifelong love affair with the game. He has competed in tournament golf both as an amateur and as a senior professional and though his competitive days are behind him, he still plays regularly and carries a handicap of 2. Gol fScribe@out look. com Mike May is a freelance golf travel writer based in Wellington, Florida. As you would expect, he is a “Golfaholic” focused on beating ‘Old Man Par’ each time he steps on a golf course. Contact him at mmaymarketing@gmail. com Bryan Renius is a true golfaholic, who likes to put a humorous twist on the game. He resides in Lambertville, Michigan with his wife and three children. Find him at https:// www. facebook.com/ bryan.renius Len Ziehm Len Ziehm spent 41 years as a golf columnist for the Chicago SunTimes. He now free lances golf travel pieces and posts for http:// lenziehmongolf.com/. Find Len on Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/lenziehmongolf/ Ohio Golf Journal
VIDEOS Golf fans were shocked that three-time Masters Champion, Phil Mickelson elected to not play in the 2022 tournament. Back 9 Report wonders about the reasons that could keep Phil away from Augusta National and if he will defend his title at the PGA Championship in May. Golf Equipment Guru, Ed Travis talks about the latest release from the USGA & The R&A about their joint Distance Study, which seems to indicate they will PUSH for separate equipment for Pros & Amateurs. The PGA TOUR’s PIP Just Made the Rich, Richer Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson were the beneficiaries of the PGA Tour’s Player Impact Program (PIP). Fred Altvater rants against the program, while Carlos is more understanding and takes the completely opposite route! Why Is Phil Mickelson Not Playing in the Masters? The USGA is Pushing for Bifurcation Watch Now Watch Now Watch Now
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